-September 23, 2020

-???'s pov

After a long day of picking apples and working at the farm, I finally had the chance to take some to rest while my brother did the rest.

I just placed the last box of our apple cider into my brother's truck so he can make our last delivery for the night.

Everything was somehow perfect for me and my family, me and my lil sister worked all day in the farm while ny brother delivers our fresh apples to our buyers.

But when I entered my house, I saw my little sister watching television on the couch. Since she's scared of almost everything I decided to sneakily hide behind the couch to scare her.

I then covered my mouth with my hand as soon I kneeled behind the chair to avoid letting my sister hear my irresistible laughter.

"Rawr!" I yelled with a scary face after I rose up from behind, making Applebloom scream and punch me directly at the face.

"Ow! Applebloom what the heck?" I groaned in slight pain, laughing and seating beside her afterwards.

"Oops sorry big sis! Ya scared me there."

"I know, did you see the look on yer face?!" I laughed again while patting her silky red hair.

"I hate ya Applejack."

"I hate you too sugarcube." I started, wiping the sweat in my forehead with my hand. "Im so tired.."

"Yeah that's why you look awful right now."

"Gee thanks for the compliment, Shortie."

"I told you to stop calling me that! Its annoying."

"But hey, its true sugarcube." I replied after taking a sip on her apple juice in her hand.

"Whatever, did you and Big Mac finished all the chores?"

"Yup, but he went out minutes ago to deliver some of our Apple cider and to visit her girlfriend real quick."

"How come you and I don't have any girlfriends or boyfriends?" My sister asked, crossing her arms in a grumpy way after.

"Hey!" I yelled back as I gently shoved her head in a playful way. "I do have a girlfriend, remember?"

"Yeah but you barely even talk to each other, especially there's some kind of virus lurking outside."

"Pfft- you seriously believe in that crap sugarcube? I mean that virus has been discovered for almost a year now but It doesn't affect anybody. All it does is gives people a stupid cold then boom! Go to the doctor then its gone now."

"You talk like you know it all." She replied while rolling her eyes, placing her juice box down to the table.

"Its because I do know it all Applebloom." I started after standing up to stretch my arms. "Anyways its way pass your bed time, you ain't sleepy yet?"

"Nope, Im still gonna watch some tv, there's a lot happening in the news."

"Well suit yourself, Im gonna head to mah room now." I smiled before turning around.

But before I could even take my first step, my sister yelled out my name, making me look back at her again with a confused look.

"Applejack wait!"

"What is it now sugarcube?"

"Here, I have something for you." She cheered after grabbing something behind her pillow.

It was a small black box with some Apple marks on the front. So I looked back at my sister, giving her a smile after.

"What is this?"

"Granny Smith gave this to me before.. she passed away. But now I want you to have it."

"Wow, why all of a sudden sugarcube?" I asked while grabbing the box from her hands.

"Well its my appreciation for you because you work your ass-"

"I told you call it butt!"

"Potato, tomato its just the same! But since you and Big MacIntosh work so hard around the farm, I just wanted to thank you with this."

"Aww Applebloom, ya'll to kind but I don't need th-"

"YES YOU DO NOW OPEN IT!" She growled back which made me jump in shock.

"Okay, okay just calm down you little rascal!"

I just let out a soft giggle before opening the small box, only to see a beautiful emerald necklace inside of it.

"Wow.." I mumbled out of amazement, still looking at the necklace.

"I know right? It matches your eyes!"

"A-are you sure you wanna give this to me sugarcube? Its your only remembrance of Granny.."

"Nah I already have plenty of her memories in my heart!

"Who thought you to be this kind?" I giggled as I pulled her into a hug.

"Well.. You and Big brother of course!"

"You're such a sweet delicate red haired jellybean."

"Oh shut up! That's an even worse nickname than shortie."

"I know." I started, pulling away from our hug to give her one last tap on the hair. "Im gonna cherish this forever."

"Then put it on! Here let me help ya."

I nodded my head in agreement as I turned around, gently moving my tied hair aside so Applebloom can lock the necklace from behind.

"What do ya think?" I giggled after turning around to show her.

"It looks so good on you Aj!" Applebloom cheered as she pulled me into another hug.

"Thanks sugarcube."

Suddenly, our moment was interrupted when we both heard something outside, causing my little sister gasp in slight fear.

"W-what was that?"

"Its just probably just a raccoon, just go back watching tv, Im gonna check it out."

"Wait don't leave me here!"

"Relax Applebloom.. I'll be back." I lastly said before grabbing a flashlight on the drawer.

As I slowly opened the front door, our streets were empty and somehow thrashed from all the Garbages scattered around.

I then took a deep breath as I gathered all my courage and bravery to shine my flashlight around my surroundings. But as soon I heard something fall, my instincts immediately made me look to my right and shine the flashlight.

"Oh.. It's just a raccoon.." I sighed in relief when I saw a raccoon eating a fallen apple on our tree.

"Get outta here!" I yelled to scare the poor critter but it didnt listen to me.

As I continued to yell at it, the raccoon finally looked at my direction, I guess I finally caught its attention. So I decided to flash the light on and off to somehow scare it.

But when I noticed it wasn't looking directly at me, I followed its gaze and saw the empty deserted streets.

"What are you looking at little guy?"

The poor raccoon suddenly ran away as soon we both heard something screaming in the distance.

"Woah!" I gasped while looking at the direction where the scream was.

But when I looked around, there was nothing but the same empty streets. The scream sounded like some kind of animal in pain..

"Maybe its just the neighbor's dog.. I should probably go back inside." I thought to myself after turning the flashlight off.

When I stepped inside the house again, I went back to living room to check on my sister who was now sleeping peacefully on the coach.

'Aww.. Lets get you in your bed. " i giggled whille carrying her in my arms.

Seeing her happy everyday really makes me even happier than usual. She's the most important person in my life aside my girlfriend.

Im really thankful to have you as a sister Applebloom, you and big mac. I let out a soft sigh as I made it halfway the stairs.

Im still exhausted and tired from all the work but I still have enough strength to carry the "shortie" to her room.

After I gently placed Applebloom down to her bed, I gave her one last kiss before going back downstairs to watch some television since Im not sleepy yet.

" B A N G !"

A gunshot was heard outside, causing me to scream in shock. Multiple gunshots continued to fire outside paired with terrifying screams.

It sounds like the gunshot was near our house so I immediately grabbed the flashlight again and rushed outside to check what's happening.

"Help me!" A man with a shotgun yelled at me, running towards me afterwards.

"Woah dont come any closer partner!" I nervously yelled back while raising my hands in the air. "D-dont hurt me!"

"W-what? No! Im not gonna hurt you! I just need- AH!" He screamed in the last part as the poor man fell to his knees.

"You okay mister?!"

"T-they got me.."

"Who got you? What's happening?!"

"They already bit me.. Those monsters!"

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

"Listen kid!" The man started, pulling me closer to him with his right hand while the other held his bite mark on his legs. "Take this.."

"What?! No way Im not gonna hold a gun!"

"Its the only way you'll survive!"

"Your not making any sense sir! Tell me what's going on?!" I cried as tears slowly form in my eyes.

"There was an outbreak in the hospital kid.. It got my wife and kids. They turned into some blood thirsty creatures.. And-" He was cut off when his eyes went wide.

"W-what?"

His whole body was trembling with fear while raising his other hand, flicking a finger to point something behind me after.

"S-sir talk to me!"

"Look behind you.."